I am a mother, a wife, and a creative at my core. Much of my writing takes the form of poetry, though in recent years I have expanded into think pieces and essays that continue to stretch and shape my voice. Writing has always been my safe haven , such a sacred space where I can speak my feelings out loud and breathe life into them. I have been writing since I was 15 years old, and it quite literally saved me.
Much of my work revolves around identity, self-love, pride in who we are, and finding art as both refuge and resistance. I write about building courage, strengthening self-esteem, and creating spaces where people feel seen.

My artistic practice centers healing through art. I am dedicated to creating spaces for communal restoration, using poetry as both activism and emotional truth-telling. My work is rooted in curating experiences that invite vulnerability, creating spaces where people can soften, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and one another.
I create to heal, to communicate, and to transform the world within myself in hopes of transforming the world around me. Art is my way of processing, questioning, and rebuilding, and iit is my advocacy. It is both my mirror and my medicine.
The themes I explore include arts advocacy, identity, sisterhood, love, and the deconstruction of power systems in pursuit of healing communities. My work examines how art functions as both a healing mechanism and a vehicle for social justice.
I work across multiple mediums, including spoken word poetry, page poetry, creative nonfiction, performance art, community-based art events, and literary curation. Through each form, I remain committed to cultivating spaces where art becomes a catalyst for restoration, resistance, and collective care.

I am interested in the Art by Bus project because it sits at the intersection of storytelling, community, and public space , which are three things that deeply shape who I am as an artist and a writer. Public transportation, for me, is not just a system, it carries memory, resilience, and connection. My own relationship with the bus is tied to independence, reconnection with my mother, and learning how to navigate the world with limited resources. The opportunity to create art within that space feels like purpose and a reclamation of a few things I may have lost.
I am drawn to the idea of art meeting people where they already are, like literally in transit, in in their daily journey, and even in the quiet moments of their day. I am certain buses hold countless untold stories: workers heading to jobs, students moving toward opportunity, elders maintaining independence, families navigating daily life. I am interested in honoring those quiet narratives and transforming public transportation into a space of reflection, affirmation, connection and shared humanity.
Through this project, I hope to learn more about Roanoke’s public transportation system and the communities it serves. I want to better understand the heartbeat and the pumping of the city , like who rides, why they ride, and where are they going, what keeps them motivated. I am especially interested in learning how public art can deepen accessibility, belonging, and civic connection. II am a passionate advocate for making art accessible to everyone, ensuring that people can both create and experience it fully.
Ultimately, I see this project as an opportunity to listen, to grow, and to create work that reflects both movement and memory, and pride, and create art that reminds people they are seen, even in transit, no matter where they are coming from or going.

Roanoke inspires my creativity in so many ways. The people and the beautiful murals throughout the city immediately stand out to me. There is a visible passion here , a collective desire to make the city more diverse, inclusive, and safe. I am especially inspired by how art feels centered in that effort. It doesn’t feel performative; it feels like collective care. Art here is not just purpose-driven , it is a bridge to commune, to connect, and to heal.
I love that there is always something to experience, a new event, a gathering, music, food, or creative expression to take in. Whenever my wife or I host events, people show up because of how it feels to be in those spaces. That kind of support deeply inspires me. It reminds me that if I put out a call, someone will answer. That sense of community fuels my desire to keep creating.

Roanoke’s diversity also inspires me, the mix of cultures, flavors, music, and perspectives. And then there are the mountains. I spent part of my childhood in West Virginia, and I deeply missed that landscape. Being here feels like the perfect blend of outdoor beauty and city life. It is the right mix for me , grounding, expansive, and creatively energizing all at once.